PHOENIX (AZFamily) — State prison officials announced on Tuesday the execution date for the man who murdered a west Phoenix family more than three decades ago.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said a warrant of execution was issued on Tuesday for Richard Djerf, who will be put to death on Friday, Oct. 17. The method will be lethal injection.
In September 1993, Djerf used a ruse to enter a house and took the family hostage in an act of revenge against a coworker, Albert Luna. Over several hours, he brutally murdered Luna’s mother, Patricia, his dad, Albert Luna Sr., his 5-year-old brother Damien, and his 17-year-old sister Rochelle, whom he also raped.
Before leaving the scene, Djerf tried to set the home on fire. Albert Jr. later found his family’s bodies and his girlfriend called 911.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell called Djerf’s actions “pure evil.”
Djerf pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in 1995 and was later sentenced to death. The Arizona Supreme Court affirmed his conviction in May 1998.
In a sit-down interview with Arizona’s Family anchor Scott Pasmore in 1995, Djerf expressed remorse for his actions.
“Are you sorry for what you did?” asked Pasmore.
“Absolutely. I screwed up a lot of lives,” replied Djerf.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes started the process of confirming an execution date back in May. She filed a warrant of execution with the courts late last month.
As of Aug. 19, there are 108 inmates on Arizona’s death row.
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